SERGIO GARCIA must have been wondering what on earth was going to happen to him and those around him next as he began his bid for Open glory today.

As if a trip to hospital yesterday to check on a member of his management team, who had badly broken an ankle when a buggy backed into him at Royal Lytham, was not enough, Garcia was last night given his second fine in the space of three months.

The amount of the fine, like the first, was not disclosed by the European tour. But whereas the first was believed to be #5,000, the second was a maximum of #2,000.

The latest one was for his criticisms on Sunday of the state of the greens at Loch Lomond for the Scottish Open.

David Garland, director of tour operations, stated that the comments Garcia compared them to what he found on the US Tour were unacceptable and the 21-year-old had therefore been punished for a minor breach of regulations prohibiting players from criticising conditions.

One of the favourites for this weeks Open after two recent victories in America, Garcia ironically had been talking earlier in the day about improving his disciplinary record.

That had been overshadowed, however, when he left the media centre and was about to play his final few holes of practice, only to be told about the accident involving Carlos Rodriguez.

The Spanish star was putting on the practice green when Rodriguez was crushed and knocked down by the buggy as it reversed into the steps of the clubhouse at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Garcia, hearing the crash and resulting scream, immediately raced 40 yards from the putting green to help his friend, who was lying in agony.

He helped to comfort 30-year-old Rodriguez as he was given treatment to the injury by medics on the spot.

Meanwhile, the Open went ahead today without double winner Greg Norman, who withdrew last night following the death of a close friend.

The Australian, who won at Sandwich in 1993 and Turnberry in 1986, flew back to his home in the United States last night.

He said: "I've always maintained there's nothing more important than family and friends.

"Laura (his wife) and I have chosen to return to the United States to lend our support.

"I am extremely disappointed to miss the British Open for a second consecutive year."